Advertising apparatus



.51. Y 5& f I

June 2.1925

A 1,540,661 R. w. ST. CLAIR ET AL ADVERTISING APPARATUS Filed April 16, 1924 3 SheetS -Sheet 1 INVENTOR o,

ATTORNEYS- 6 1 I l June 2, 1925.

R. W. ST. CLAIR ET Al- ADVERTI S ING APPARATUS Filed Apr 1924 5 $heets;$heet 2' INVENTOR,

RM 670M113 Q7213? WITNESSES A TTOR NE YS Patented June 2, 1925 PATENT es-me. 7

ROBERT 'VJZALTER 'ST. CLAIR AND ETUSEPHHB. IERViIN OF CLYMEQR, :IBENNSSELWANIIA, ASSIGNORS TO NA-110N511 EIZGCA'L ADVERTISING GGMBANY, :INCURPORATED, DIE IIIDIANA, TENNSYLVAZNIA, 4k 'GORPOBATION OF 'BENNSYLVANIA.

V .ADVERTISING (APPARATUS.

v Application-filed Apr-i116, 1924. Serial No. 706,959.

To i all 407mm it vmay concern Be it knownthat \ve,.RonnR'r VxTALinn Sr. Ciii-nnand .Josnrrr B. .1R"IN,1C1t1Z611S oil "the United States,and residents of Ciymer, .in

ously movable means which periodically transfer a display frame fromeneicoinpartment to another until a complete turnover has ultimately resulted.

Another object ofthe invention vis to pro vide an advertising apparatus havingthe continuously travelling lug .or lugs for the purpose of periodi'cally rtransierringa --dis play frame from one compartment toanother, there being a number'of such frames arranged in packs in a plurality; of compartments stan ding 1 on 1 edge.

.A further object of rthe invention is to provide an advertising apparatusioi the nature stated having a spring levers avhich continuously exert pressure on the irame baclrs in the several compartments for the purpose otmovingthem toWardTthat-side ofthe compartment which constitutes the i-enit.

Another object of the invention isito a provide .an advertising apparatus containing a pair of continuously moving lug-s av-hich alternately .tunction to push the foremost one of a stack of display irames down from one compartment and the foremost one of another pack of frames up iirom the compartment to Which the foregoing frame was supplied, the transposition or circulation of frames being continuous :untiltheepparatus is stopped.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel switch arrangement in the lighting circuit which is automaticallyoperatcd by a transient .frame to extinguishthe light on that particular side until this frame com'esto rest whereupon the current is switched on.

Other objects and advantages will appear inithe following specification, reterencebeing had to theiaccompanying drawings, "in Which 1 Figure 1 is .a perspective View of the improved advertising apparatus mounted on the' side of a building.

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the apparatus on the opposite side and illustrating how signs .are displayed onbothsides of theapparatus.

Figure-3 is a vertical section of a portion otthe cabinet, a certain veneer strip "being removed to reveal the mechanism. of the spring levers. i

Figure 4 is a vertical section on the line of Figure 'l, the-.aforesaid veneer strip being in place in this instance.

Figure 5 'is a detail section of one ofthe electric-switches; Figure 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view of portions ofthe apparatus particularly illustrating the constructioniand oper-' ation of the lightingicircuits.

Figure '7 is a vertical section confined solely to illustrati-ng the. arrangement of one of the continuously moving chains.

Figure .8 is a detail section taken substantially on the line 88of Figure 4 illustrating the manner of supporting the upper shaft. a

Figure 9 is a'horizontal sectiontaken substantially on the line 99 of Figure 4,

Figure '10 is a detail enlarge-d section Which may be read in connection with Figure 7, illustrating the action of the earns in displacing the chain lugs so that a display frame inaybereleased.

Figure 11 is a detail secti on taken through the bottom of the cabinet to illustrate the motor drive.

In :carrying out the invention provision ismadeofacabinet 1 .inludingends 2 and 3, a bottom t and side doors 5and 6. The cabinet may in practice he placed wherever desired, bnt the drawings show it 'ii'astened to the side of a building, use being made c t aibracket I? .to furnish one-oi the supports.

The manner of building and supporting the cabinet are immaterial.

Situated inside of the cabinet 1 is a pair ofchains 8 and 9 (Figs. 8 and 9) which respectively run over pairs of sprockets 10 and 11 (Figs. 4 and 7) on upper and lower parallel shafts 12 and 13. A motor .14 (Fig. 11) furnishes the driving power. The motor belt 15 drives the sheave 16 on the counter shaft 17 which carries a worm pinion 18 to drive the worm gear 19 on the lower shaft 13.

A housing 20 encloses the worm pinion and gear so that these parts may be packed in grease for proper lubrication. The prime mover of the apparatus maybe other than an electric motor. The manner of trans ferring power from the counter shaft 17 to the shaft 13 may be other than gears, for example, friction disks, pulleys and belts, etc.

Each of the chains 8 and 9 carries alug 21 for the purpose of pushing display f 'ames downward from the upper compart-- (Fig. 8) so that both corners of the display frame may be engaged at the same time, and that the frame may be moved uniformly. Each of the lugs ismade alike. The description of the construction of one will answer for both. Upstanding lugs 27 are connected by a relatively long metallic link 28 which keeps them properly spaced and sufliciently rigid. The lowermost pin has the sole duty of pushing the display frames from one compartment to the other. The link 28 is longer than the links of the chain 'by which the. lug is carried, it extending approximately over two chain links as shown in Fig. 10.

Each of the two sets of sprockets and chains occupy and run in suitably formed recesses 29 and 30 in the respective ends 3 and 4. This places them substantially level with the interior surfaces of the sides. Inasmuch as the ends of the display frames 22 contact and rub'against the inside of the ends to a considerable extent, it is obviously necessary to countersink the chains so that the frames may have all required freedom. This is particularly necessary when atrans for from one compartment to another occurs.

Each of the display frames 22 has a slit along the top rail so that a card 31 may be inserted as shown in several views. The card will contain advertising matter 011 both sides, or if desired, two thin cards, each separately printed on one side may he slipped in back to back. Although the frames are shown as particularly adapted to display printed advertisements it. seems quite obvious that other matter such as will readily lend itself to be fixed in a frame may be exhibited or displayed.

In order that the packs of frames may be moved toward the exit sides of the respective compartment-s use is made of spring levers 32 and 33, these being provided either in pairs or singly as respectively indicated in Figs. 3 and 4. Each of the levers is exactly alike. A pin 34 provides the pivot for the lever. A spring 35, attached between the outer end of the lever and a suitable stud 36, tends to pull the opposite and inner end of the lever into engagement with a .stop 37 but in any event keeps the free end against the outermost one of the adjacent pack of frames. The free end of each lever is rounded, and engages the vertical side of the frame.

Each cabinet end 2 and 3 carries sets of spring levers so that'the discharging pressure on the frame-s may be uniform. The levers 32 and 33 Work reversely to each 'other; the levers 32 yield upwardly while the levers 33 yield downwardly. This is to agree with the direction of movement of the frames. Each of the frame packs is pressed over against a furring strip 38 and 39. It is along these strips that the outermost frames at the exit ends of the compartments 25 and 26 are slid when the lugs 21 come around in pushing position.

The respective furring stripsv are recessed at 40 and '41 to make room for the outward bowing of the chains when the lug-s 21 ride over cams 42 and 43 for the purpose of di engaging the lugs from the frames. These recesses are covered by strips 44 and 45 of suitable veneer material, not only concealing the recessesbut also covering the various spring levers. In order to permit free dom of motion of the levers they may either be partially recessed in the furring strips or the veneer strips may be slightly set'off by interposed supports. Recesses 46 are shown in order to illustrate one modification.

Suitable bearings support the shafts 12 display frame from opposite sides, reflecllU erence characters in Fig. 6. switches are alike and "the description of tors 53 throwing the iligh-t downward upon the printed type when advertising anatter isidisplayed. These lamps are lig'hted oiily wh en the display framecomes to "rest. They are extinguished while the framesiare in motion during transit from the compartment to the compartment 26 and vice versa. Only one lamp is extinguished at a time becauseonly onezfra-me moves at one time.

This controlling of the electric lamps is accomplished by switch arms 54 .and These arms and the switches which they control are provided in duplicate on each side so that each SLClG has a. pair of electric switches as suggested by corresponding .ref-

All of the one will'suflice for all.

1n Figure 5 the switch 1211111 55 EPROjE'CtS through the "slot 56 of the switch casing 57. This casing houses the switcih mechanism on the porcelain'or other insulating base 58. The casing is preferably made :removable. The arm -55 :is P l-V'OtQCl at 59. A frame 60 fastened at one end ianll'a-t tached to the inner end -of 'thersw'itch .arm

at the other pulls up on the switch "arm and keeps it in engagement Wltll a contact (31 representing one terminalof "an electric able snap switch 67 so that the motor-can be stopped and started. lVires GS and =69 in parallel with theanain leads c onvey current to the lamps 51 while wires '70 and 71 in parallel with'the main leads supply current to the lamp '52. These pairs of wires constitute shunt circuits which areaindividuallycontrolled bythe pairs of switches already mentioned. The contacts 72 of'th'e switches 54 are connected together by a wire 78and=the a1-ms-54L themselves arewconnected by a wire 74. Similarly, the icon tacts 61 of the arms 55 are oonneeted byea wire 'i'5, while the arms themselves "are connected bya 'wire F76.-

The purpose of thus providing duplicate switches at opposite ends of the display frame and connecting themtogether electrically is to insure -th'a't. there shall :be at least one operable switch :in the event isomethmg should go wrong with the other;

Tn .O'IClfil. that the packs "of frames may readily :shde :across the {PiilEtltiOIl and base 24 provision is made of bearing strips or slides 17:7 :and 78. Theta 'f -thecabinet is suitably shapedto contain a clock 2'9 which has faces .on opposite sides of the cabinet. The operation maybe readily understood from the following additional description. All of the display frames :22 are first filled withsign cards '81 in the event that the apparatus is used for display advertising-matter. For the first purpose the top wrails of the frames are slit so that the cards may he slid in. Cards are either printed on both sides so ithat only one need be inserted, or two cards, printed on-one side, can be inserted-backto back.

The display frames are arranged in two packs approximately evenly divided and stood on edge upon the partition 23 and base Q/iias clearly s'howvnain Figure d. Other than this the .frames 'fhaue no support, it being noticed that. there is an absence of means .for suspending the frames-from :the chains, or other such expedients as comimonly :adopted. It :has been stated that the partition 23 and base 24 pro vides the solewsupport forthe frames. An additional support, but of a wholly different nature, is zaffordedby the furringstripsv 38 and :at opposite; sides of the advertisingcabine't. The frames in the upper pack are firmly .pressed'to the :left (Figures-3 and 4 against the furring strip -38 by ithe spring lever 82, while the pack of frames in the lower compartment rare firmly :pressed toward the right against the furring :stnip -39 by the spring lever33. The particular 'andoutermost frames nextto'the funringstrips are in positions to be slid down or up as 'the case 'may 'be, and thereby undergo transfor from one comparti'nent 'to another. It is in this manner that -continuous changes of :display occur.

The electric motor 14L drives ithe endless chains "8 and 9 continuously. These run over :pairs of sprockets "l0 and 11 at the top and bottom respectively. Each chain car- -riesiansingle lug 21. The zlug should be in :hori'zontal alignment so as ftol evenly contact the frames and-push them iin La ire'ctilinear direction. 1 Assume .that'thelugs 21 have come around and are about to engage the outermost frame 22 in the uppercompartment '25 (see Figs. 8 'a'nd't). As='soon as the :lugs engage the iuppercorners'of the frame a :forcible down- "ward ipush commences, :and inasmuch as the arm 54 of an electric switch is disposed immediately-below that frame an opening of ithe s-swi-tch, promptly occurs to extinguish the lamp 51 (Fig.- 6') iimmediately that movement=of :the :frame starts. The pushing of the "frai'ne'occurs under the 'iQ'HSiOD. of the lit} spring arms 32 because these are pressed against theupper pack by the spring (Fig. 3).

Pushing of the frame in question continues until the lugs 21 reach the cams 42.: These cams are situated in proper positions to make the lugs ride out (Fig. 10) and release the frame when it comes into registration with the lower pack. Spring levers 33 then operate to push the entire lower pack over against the right furring strip 89, theextreme right frame thus being in position to be pushed up toward the lugs 21 move along the return side of the chains.

It is to be observed that there is considerable space between the base 24; and the lower shaft 13. The lugs 2i consume sufficient time in traversing the part of the chains thus represented to give the observer of the apparatus sufficient opportunity to read the signs displayed. As soon as the lugs reach the bottom of-the right frame in the lower pack an upward push results. The switches 55 are operated toopen the circuit of the lamps 52 whereupon this lamp is extinguished and the illumination ofthe signs ceases until the complete transfer has been made. As soon as the frames, whether they be going down or up, pass the respective switch arms the respective circuits of the lamps 51 and 52 are again closed and the illumination of the sign again occurs when the change has been made.

While the construction and arrangement of the improved advertising apparatus as herein described and claimed is that of a generally preferred form, obviously modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

lVe claim:

1; Apparatus of the character described comprising a plurality of display frames, means providing compartn'ients which are occupied by said frames when divided :into packs, continuously moving means periodically engaging a frame in each pack to push the frames from one compartment to another thereby causing a circulation of the frames on a step by step order, means to illuminate the outermost frame, and means to extinguish the illuminating means on a particular side as soon as the frame starts to move and continuing during the transit of riodically engaging an outermost frame of each pack and forcibly moving it along the adjacent furring strip to the next compartment'thereby causing a stepby step circulation of the frames.

Apparatus of thecharacter described comprising a plurality of display frames, means defining compartments including .7 a partition and base upon which the frames stand when separated into packs, abut-ments including furring strips at one side of each frame pack, means at the opposite side of each frame. pack to press the pack into engagement with the respective furring strips, continuously moving means including a chain extending substantially full length of said compartments and carrying means periodically engaging an outermost frame of each pack and moving it along the adjacent furring strip to the next compartment thereby causing a step by step circulation of the frames, and means forrdisplacing said continuously moving means to disengage said carried means from the frame when the objective compartments'have been reached.

4. A device of the character described comprising means defining compartments including a partition and a base, a display frame occupying each compartment standing on the partition and base respectively, means continuously exerting pressureagainst each frame, abutment means including furring strips against which said frames are pressed thereby causing them to tend to remain in position, and continuously moving means first engaging a framein one compartment to push it along. a furring strip out of said'compartment pastsaid part-ition into the other compartment then subsequently engaging the first frame in said other compartment and pushing it along the second furring strip past the partition to the first compartment. v

5. Apparatus of the character described comprising a plurality of display frames divided into two packs, a partition separating the packs and constituting a part of compartments in which the frames are situated, means continuously pressing upon the frames from opposite sides so that opposite frames are projected beyond the edges of the partition, continuously moving means for engaging the upper edges of the projecting frames and forcibly'pushing them past said partition from one compartment to the other at intervals, while said pressing means continues its pressure thereagainst and means for disengaging the pushingmeans from a particular frame when the intended change of location has been effected.

'6. Apparatus of the character described int ments occupied by said packs, levers situated at diametrically opposite sides of the two packs, springs so connected to the levers and actuating them as to press against the packs in opposite directions causing the outermost frames at diagonally opposite sides to project beyond the edges of the partition, continuously moving means including a lug engaging the projected frame of one compartment and pushing it past the partition into the other compartment, means to displace the lug when said other compartment is reached so that the lug may continue its movement and ultimately engage the other projected frame to move it past the partition into the first compartment, and to again displace the lug and free the frame when said first compartment is reached.

7. Apparatus of the character described comprising a plurality of display frames divided into two packs, a partition dividing the packs and constituting a part of compart ments occupied by the frame packs, a furring strip in spaced relation to each opposite ed 'e of the partition leaving a frame passage, means including spring levers pressing against the frame packs from diagonally opposite sides to press diagonally opposite frames into said passages and against the furring strips where they are held, means including a continuously traveling lug for pushing the frames in said passages from one compartn'ient to the other against the resistance of said spring levers, and means including cams situated adjacent to said edges of the partition for properly displacing the lug to free the frames upon reaching the respective con'ipartments.

8. Apparatus of the character described comprising means providing a pair of com-- partments including a base and a separating partition, a plurality of display frames divided into packs and stood on edge upon the partition and base respectively, means pressing against the packs to advance them toward diagonally opposite sides of the partition, abutment means including furring strips against which the most advanced frames are thrust, a lug to engage the advanced frames at intervals and transfer them in respect to the compartments, means to displace the lug from the frames when the respective compartments are reached, continuously moving means including a chain by which the lug is carried, and a shaft having sprockets by which the chain is operated, one of the shafts and sprockets being situated a considerable distance below the base to suitably separate the interval between the end of the transfer of one frame and the be ginning of the transfer of another.

9. Apparatus of the character descrlbed comprising a plurality of display frames divided into packs, means defining compartments for the packs including a partition and a base on which the respective packs stand one above the other, means to press against the packs from diagonally opposite sides to advance the oppositely outermost frame beyond the edges of the partition,

abutments including furring strips against which said advanced frames are pressed, said strips having cut out portions providing recesses adjacent to the edges of the partition, continuously moving chains having lugs in parallelism to engage the advanced frame and push it past the partition from one compartment to another, and a cam situated at each edge of the partition to displace he lugs into said recesses and from engage ment with the particular frame when that frame has reached its destination.

10. Apparatus of the character described comprising a cabinet, a base and a partition arms directed toward the partition from 'opposite sides and in the path of the advancing frames, causing an operation of a particular switch to open a circuit upon the beginning of movement of a frame, said circuit remaining open to extinguish the respective lamps until the destination of the frame is reached.

11. Apparatus of the character described comprising a plurality of display frames arranged in a pack, means pressing against the pack from one side, abutments against which the pack is pressed, continuously movable means arranged to engage the advanced frame and push it along the abutment means out of the pack, an electrical circuit including a lamp for illuminating said advanced frame while stationary, and switch means which is operated when the advanced frame begins to move to break the circuit and extinguish the lamp, said switch means being provided in duplicate beneath said advanced frame adjacent to opposite edges insuring the operation of the lamps even should one of the switches fail to function.

ROBERT l/VALTER ST. CLAIR.

JOSEPH R. IRVIN. 

